Optimax

My consultation was on 14th November at the Birmingham clinic. Mr Masilamani (a man of few words) recommended that I went for femtosecond (laser cut flap) LASIK with Wavefront. I asked a number of questions and the surgeon replied by telling me he would get me 20/20 vision or better with no anticipated problems. I even asked if I would be able to return to work in a couple of days, even though I had a week's annual leave booked after the proposed op date, and he confirmed that this was a very real possibility. Especially with femtosecond and Wavefront. So, after a few days to think things over I confirmed my provisional booking for 20th November. I was kept waiting for 2.5 hours on the day and nothing has happened the way I was told it would in terms of recovery. Over 2 weeks later I am struggling to drive at night because of lights etc, have read that it can take time but my problem is with the fact that I was told there would be no side effects for me and it would immediately be the best thing I ever did. The surgeon was completely silent during the op so I had to quietly work out what he was doing for myself, I couldn't see 3 feet in front of me for the first 3 days because of fluid, which was apparently most unexpected, I am still struggling in dimly lit rooms (both naturally and artificially lit), driving at night is avoided if possible (it goes dark before 4pm at the moment!) etc etc. No doubt it will all improve as I have now been reassured (and i'll somehow struggle through the winter months without driving too much at night) but I have a big problem with the communication from the surgeon. Sorry to unload this on the forum where so many are immediately pleased with their results, but if you're thinking of getting the op done please please please do your research before going ahead. That said - all the best... I feel a bit better after that. Thanks!!

I has my surgery done at the Finchley Road Clinic in London, Dr. Patel was the consultant and the treating doctor. During the consultation I asked a lot of questions and was reassured by the Dr. Patel's experience and knowledge. I also felt that no one was trying to push the expensive treatment but were very open and honest about the expected results and higlighted the possible risks which were minimal. I was -4 in both eyes plus 1.80 ast. Dr. Patel recommended that I would go for the lasik treatment and I opted to use the all laser treatment which meant the flap was created by a laser incision and not by the knife. I had the surgey 6 weeks ago , Dr. Patel kept exlplaining everything that he did in a very calm and professional manner, the room and equipment were of the highest standards. 8 hours after the surgery when the cloudy vision cleared up I reached driving standards and the morning after the surgery I woke up with a very clear vision. The day after the surgery I was told I'd achieved 20/20 vision. After-care is excellent, and follow up instructions were very clear. Throughout the entire process I felt I was in very capable hands . This surgery has given me confidence in my eyes and freedom. I got used to seeing very clearly quickly as if it were (and it is) the most natural thing.

Had treatment in Bristol on Nov 22nd with Dr Ayoubi. Femstosecond Lasik, not the most pleasant experience I ever had, but definately worth it now. Am at driving standard already with sight improving daily. Excellent service from a doctor that really seem to care about his patients.

I went to Dr Ayoubi at Southampton in June for my consultation, having purchased through e-bay. My eyes were L -1.75 R -3.00. I had pretty much decided that I wanted lasik on both eyes. However Dr Ayoubi recommended I went for Epi-Lasek on my right eye only, as this was very much my dominant eye, and have monovision. Monovision is usually recommended for older people, and I am only 28, but he felt this would suit me very well, and would hopefully mean I would not need reading glasses when I was older. This worked out far cheaper than I had expected, which gave me confidence that he was not just trying to flog the most expensive treatment. He also recommended that I did not have wavefront, as this would not make much difference in my case. I was rather floored by being told that the treatment I had thought I wanted was not what he was recommending. I had been booked in for treatment two weeks later, but having spoken with my usual optician who advised that it could take three months to get used to monovision and some people never got used to it, I deferred the appointment by three months to think about it. I then tested monovision for the next three months using contact lenses, deciding that it would suit me, but it did take a couple of months to get used to. The treatment was very much as described by everyone else on this site - pain free and straightforward. My husband came with me, and looked after me for the first 24 hours. Even though I had only one eye treated, both eyes closed up for 24 hours. Opening the untreated eye caused pain in the treated eye, so I just kept them closed. The sedatives were great! I had thought my sight was improving, but when the bandage contact lense was removed it took a step backwards, but I was told this was quite normal. However even though I had been using my drops that night I woke with my eyeball stuck to my eyelid, and must have ripped off the healing cells when I tried to open the eye. This was far worse that the pain just after treatment, and had to get out the anesthetic drops in order to get back to sleep. I was having severe dry eye problems, and at my next appointment was given eye gel to use before bed, which sorted the problem. I was not able to drive for three weeks, which may have been due to the damage to the cells when they were ripped off. My vision improved gradually day by day, and this week, two months after treatment, my vision in my treated eye is now better than 20:20, and I am thrilled. The dry eye problem has also gone away, although I keep the refresh drops handy just in case. It has taken a long time, and I had concerns that I was going to end up disapointed, particularly after reading reviews where people were driving after three days. Bear in mind that it can take quite some time to get the final results, and don't be pressured into anything you are not sure about. I did not like the way your treatment date was booked before you had even had your consultation, although they were very good about putting it off for three months, and there certainly was no pressure from Dr Ayoubi. Finally, if you have decided you do want to use Optimax, buy it through e-bay. It may seem daft, but if you have already made your mind up that you are using them why pay more than you have to! I paid £477 and that would not go far on contact lenses and glasses!

I had my treatment done in August, at Optimax in Newcastle with Dr Esselaar, he was so lovely and explained everything as he went along, from start to finish. He totally put me at ease. The difference it has made has been amazing, especially on holiday when I could wear ordinary sunglasses instead of having to take different prescription specs with me. My only regret is not having it done years ago. still have to wear glasses for reading, but even this has improved, as I can read some texts up close without them. I would definately recommend it to anyone. Only downside, a cup of tea would have been appreciated.

How do I go down the Ebay route. Have seen people on there offering £310 vouchers. Do I contact Ebay first or Optimax? Many thanks

I wonder if any body can give me any feedback with regards to Dr Masilamani at the Birmingham clinic. I am due to have my eyes done very shortly and a little frightened!

I have an appointment booked at the Birmingham Clinic with Dr BI Ilango. I have seen no mention of him in these pages and he is not listed on the Optimax website. I understand he has previously worked out of the Manchester Clinic. Does anyone have any comment to offer? I would be very grateful as, like most people, am a little apprehensive!

I underwent the Lasik Wavefront procedure with femtosecond three weeks ago at the Leeds branch. Right from the initial consultation to the aftercare i have received so far i can not find fault with Optimax. I went from -4.50 plus significant astimagtism in both eyes to 20:20 vision within a week, which is better than i had ever hoped for. The procedure itself was uncomfortable but not painful. The worst part was, not as i had originally imagined, the "lasering", but the cutting of the lense flap. The best way to describe the sensation is that it was like having someone trying to push my eyeballs through the back of my head - not nice but bearable and well worth it in the end. The night of the treatment i expeirenced some pain and discomfort but nothing that a good 14 hours of sleep couldn't cure (Laser surgery makes you very tired for some reason!). The next day my eyes felt a little weird but not at all painful. Now three weeks on the only tell tale sign that i have even had the procedure (other than being able see in the shower, etc etc)is that my eyes tend to get a bit dry and tired late at night but this seems to be improving every day. All in all i would 100% recommend lasik and Optimax. It sounds cheesy but it really is a life changing event, don't be scared just go for it!

Further to my posting in early September (4 days after Femtosecond Lasik, I would like to add that my eyesight is now better than 20/20 with just a slight minus prescription of -0.25 and -0.50, which is perfect to allow me to read up-close without reading glasses. I am still amazed at the change to my quality of life without the bother of glasses/prescription sunglasses/lenses etc. etc., although I am just getting out of the habit of looking for my glasses first thing in the morning!!